The mission statement of the
Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum, Inc. in Minden, Louisiana..is to establish and promote a strong sense of community pride by preserving our past for our future generations. We will make our patrons aware of Webster Parish’s historical assets and significance by promoting, teaching, involving, and displaying history in many unique ways. This will be not only for our community but for others outside of our area.

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116 Pearl Street Then

1920's Photo of Pearl Street

116 Pearl Street Today

Our Museum!

Welcome To The Minden, Louisiana's Dorcheat Museum Blog

Thank you for visiting the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum Blog. The Dorcheat Historical Museum is the only museum inside the city limits of Minden, Louisiana. The museum opened June 10th, 2008. Admission Free with donations welcomed. Our hours are, Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., closed for lunch from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., open again from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday we are closed but open by appointment for special showings and meetings. We would like to invite you to visit our location at 116 Pearl Street in Minden, Louisiana. We look forward to sharing our history with you. For more information please contact museum director Schelley Brown Francis at 318-377-3002 or 318-423-0192.

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The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc.

This Minden, Louisiana Webster Parish Muesum is Funded in part by a grant from the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission.http://www.visitwebster.com/1-888-972-7474

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Help Us Keep History Alive In Webster Parish

In return for your support, you will receive not only a tax deduction, but also, invitations to all museum activities. Please give every consideration to helping with this endeavor. Be a part of Webster Parish history by becoming a proud supporter of the Webster Parish Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum.All contributions may be mailed to:

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Another Large Turnout For "A Night For The Museum With Marcus Wren II"!

April is Confederate History month; in remembrance of this time in history Monday night at Christopher’s on Main Street was the place to be! Nearly 200 people from as far away as Kansas turned out to hear Mr. Marcus Wren’s narration of events that took place during the “War Between The States Era of Minden”. The evening began with a greeting from Dorcheat Historical Association President Mr. Thad Andress. This was followed by a short opening speech from Dorcheat Museum director Schelley Brown. Ms. Brown stated, “That all wars are controversial but the need to remember those wars as a part of history so that the same mistakes are not made again is a museum’s obligation. The Minden Blues played an important part in Minden’s history and we don’t want that history or any other to be forgotten.”Mr. Marcus Wren II has been a longtime businessman in our area and a thirty year member and supporter of the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum. Mr. Wren spoke of his grandfather a civil war veteran! Mr. Wren’s grandfather was George Lovic Pierce Wren (1836-1901) of the Minden Blues. During the War G.L.P. Wren fought with the Army of Northern Virginia in most of the important battles of the war, including Bull Run and Gettysburg. Twice captured, he spent time in the Union Prison Camp at Fort Delaware. After the war taught school in the Pine Grove area of Webster parish and would later become a Louisiana State Legislator and Senator. Mr. Wren concluded his talk with the legend of how the familiar tune of TAPS came to be. This story was followed by the sounds of the TAPS played by Mickey Love on trumpet.Museum board members were pleased, that so many attended this 2nd of many such events that they have planned for the future. Future events were discussed with the subjects to include a 1950’s themed event; black history in Webster Parish, Coca-Cola Company highlight, early baseball in our area, and North Webster Parish history are just some of what is in the works for the coming year.Following Mr. Wren’s program, Ms. Brown drew a name for a large gift basket that was donated by local merchants and friends of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum. The winner was Mr. Rod Gann of Minden. After the drawing everyone was invited to please take a tour to see the new Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum, Inc.’s progress. Large groups were shown the progress that has taken place in the museum since November. The new exhibit cases that are currently being painted are very impressive and will be filled with items related to the Civil War, Reconstruction, Historic Homes, Hunters & Coca-Cola, 1933 Disasters, Sports, Education, Churches, Industry and Business leaders just to name a few. This museum will follow a time line from the Indian era to present day with help from Webster Parish historian John Agan.Many locals were able to meet the visionary artist behind the museum; Mr. Larry Milford. Larry was on hand after the speaking program to show people the work that has been done and tell of his plans for the future. Dorcheat Historical Association President Mr. Thad Andress emphasized the fact that this project cost and will cost a lot of money and that without everyone contributing in one way or another that this project would not be possible. Pledge cards and volunteer sheets were handed out and everyone was encouraged to take part and have a part in “their” museum. “This is everyone’s museum and it will take everyone to make it happen!” is the message museum board members want to convey to everyone.If you missed hearing Mr. Wren a benefit DVD of the night is available for $10. For more information on the museum please visit the new blog site at http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/ or contact Schelley Brown at 423-0192 or iluvoldcars@yahoo.com

For more information on “A Night for the Museum with Mr. Marcus Wren II” please contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192.

The Fourth Museum Cookbook Is Here

This book filled with stories of days gone by!

The Back Cover

A Message From Cora Lou Robinson

Recipes and History

Our FourthCookbook Is HERE!AcknowledgmentsAs spokesperson for the museum, I would like to thank thecontributors to this cookbook for the wonderful recipes and stories. This bookis dedicated to those that remember fondly "The good ole days of shoppingand eating along the Main Streets of small town America and the local entrepreneursthat operated these establishments." When you think of your youth, youthink of soda fountains, home delivered groceries and the local families thatworked or owned these small stores and restaurants. With those memories weremember meals shared at the local Drive-In or Sunday dinners. We carry theseprecious memories with us, even when our small town life seems to disappear andmany of those store fronts are torn down, faded and worn with time.I would like to recognize Brian Carlisle for his design workalong with John Agan for his historic knowledge, folk artist Cora Lou Robinsonfor the cover art, and the Wise Family for the Wise Family recipes. Theirtalents made this more than a cookbook. I especially thank the advertisers formaking this book possible!We have saved a part of history with these memories. Many willnever know about the old time country stores that we remember as children. Weare the lucky ones we can be brought back to these places in our minds withjust a simple smell in the air, a faded sign on the side of an old building ora favorite recipe.The proceeds of this book will be used to help us expand ourmuseum by purchasing and renovating the building next door! We thank you foryour support in this effort. For information call 318-377-3002. Donations maybe mailed to P.O. Box 1094, Minden, Louisiana 71058. Please visit us at 116 Pearl Street, Minden, Louisiana orwww.musueminminden.blogspot.com we are also on Facebook.Sincerely,Schelley Brown FrancisDirector of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc.

GIVE A GREAT GIFT AND HELP THE MUSEUM TOO! The New Cookbook Is Here!

Act Fast Because They Will Not Last Long! So Come Get Your Copies Soon!

$20 Per Book Plus $5 Shipping and Handling Make Checks Payable To: The Dorcheat Museum P.O. Box 1094 Minden, LA 71058 or come by the museum and pick your copies up today for $20 each!

Hunter's Playhouse

Cora Lou Brown Robinson Painting

Limited Edition Cora Lou Robinson

The Dorcheat Museum will be offering a limited edition print of an original painting by folk artist Cora Lou Brown Robinson. This print will be an 11 x 14 for $25 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling. We will also offer a 20 x 24 canvas reproduction Giclée for $175. Don’t miss your opportunity to have a piece of 1950’s memories of Minden in your home.Mail your payment to Dorcheat Museum P.O. Box 1094 Minden, La. 71058. For more information call Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192.Cora Lou Brown Robinson and Hunter’s PlayhouseKnown to most simply as “Cora Lou", this Minden native and resident is recognized for not only her talents as a professional folk artist but also as a teacher, wife, mother, grandmother and true product of a deep -rooted Minden family. Born in 1935 to Ed and Celeste Brown, Cora Lou has two siblings--one brother, Ed Brown and one sister, Mary Celeste Powers. Cora Lou is married to Ronald Robinson. They have three children and seven grandchildren.Her childhood was what she calls “picture perfect.". She played from morning ’til night with the neighborhood children. Their lives followed a pattern. During the week they went to school, and each Saturday morning they listened to “Let’s Pretend” on the radio and that afternoon would walk to the “picture show” and then walk safely home. Each Sunday they went to Sunday school and then to church. She remembers the thrill of chasing lightning bugs at dusk while all the neighborhood parents sat outside and visited on their front porch. It was a simpler time in Minden, Louisiana, and for many of the people that grew up here.Her teenage years were wonderful in part due to the generosity of the Hunter family. The Hunter family has owned the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Minden since 1901. Back in the 1940s the Hunters became the recreation hub for all of Minden and the surrounding area. Everyone swam in their pool, played in their playground, danced in their playhouse, and watched countless ballgames in their park. No other town has ever seen the likes of the Hunter family in Cora Lou’s eyes. The 1940s, 50s and early 60s were a special time in Minden, Louisiana because of the generosity of Gladys and Larry Hunter. Cora Lou’s love of the special times and memories of the 1950s and Hunter’s Playhouse is depicted in one of her first paintings of a dance at the Playhouse.Cora Lou Brown Robinson says her paintings are about “God and Country, Family, and Friends.” Many of her ideas for her paintings come from her childhood and all come from her heart. Her paintings have been featured all across the United States and no one appreciates her more than her hometown and what she does for them by creating their memories on canvas.The following is taken from the “Memories of Hunter’s” book

Memories are precious, yet hard to expressA golden moment, suspended in a capsule waiting to come again---but never willA safe haven in the storm of todayA part of time so dear and so wondrous--one would have to have lived it to fully understand itA slice of life we wanted our children to experience--but they did notA time almost pure if compared to today’s lifestylesSomething we can almost hold in our hands, yet not graspA man and a woman so totally dedicated to young people that they made them their lifeOur own youth and innocence ---only a yesterday away------Cora Lou RobinsonThis project to benefit the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum is sponsored by Ben and Linda Hunter, Cora Lou Robinson, Easley’s Fine Arts, Dr. and Mrs. Edward Brown, Gibsland Bank and Trust, Ann Mays Harlan, Steve G. Kirkikis, M.D., Earlene Mendenhall Lyle, Richard Campbell D.D.S. (Dr. Feelgood), A. Loye & Peggy W. Jone